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Moving to Harrison, Arkansas

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Harrison is the largest city in Boone County, Arkansas with a population of 13,151 people according to the 2020 Census. Situated in the Ozark Mountains, Harrison is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of forests and rolling hills. The climate in Harrison is moderate, with hot summers and cold winters. The area has a humid subtropical climate with an average temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

The history of Harrison dates back to 1872 when a group of settlers arrived from Missouri and purchased land along Crooked Creek. Since then, the city has grown and flourished into a vibrant community that is home to many businesses and industries. In terms of politics, Harrison is governed by a mayor-council form of government with an elected mayor and seven council members who serve four-year terms.

The economy in Harrison is largely driven by tourism due to its proximity to numerous outdoor attractions such as the Buffalo National River and the Ozark National Forest. Other major employers include Tyson Foods, Walmart Distribution Center, Baxter Regional Medical Center, North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, and many other local businesses.

Harrison also has several schools including public schools such as Harrison High School and North Arkansas College as well as private schools such as Heritage Christian Academy and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School. The city also boasts several landmarks including the Boone County Courthouse which was built in 1871; the historic Lyric Theater which opened in 1921; and Razorback Stadium which was built in 1936 for University of Arkansas football games.

Harrison is located at 177km northwest of Little Rock. Harrison is close to Mystic Cave and several other caverns. The Saunders Memorial Museum in Berryville has a big collection of guns, including centuries-old models and shooting iron that belonged to several famous good guys and bad guys of the 1800s.

Population: 12,152. Estimated population in July 2024: 12,764 (+5.0% change)
Males: 5,598 (46.1%), Females: 6,554 (53.9%)

Boone County

Zip codes: 72601.

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.7 years
Median household income: $27,850
Median house value: $73,400

Population by Race

Races in Harrison:

  • White Non-Hispanic (96.4%)
  • Hispanic (1.5%)
  • American Indian (1.2%)
  • Two or more races (0.8%)
  • Other race (0.6%)

Ancestries: United States (22.5%), German (12.6%), English (12.0%), Irish (10.6%), Scotch-Irish (2.6%), French (2.2%).

Elevation: 1048 feet

Land area: 10.2 square miles

Map of Harrison, AR

Population by Education

Harrison, Arkansas is located in the north-central part of the state and is the county seat of Boone County. It has a population of 13,638 according to the 2019 census. The population is made up of diverse backgrounds and cultures, with a majority being white (76.9%) followed by African American (17.4%), Hispanic or Latino (2.5%), Asian (1.1%) and Native American (0.5%). Other races make up the remaining 1.6%.

The median household income in Harrison was $36,399 in 2018 which is lower than the national median income at that time which was $61,372. This could be attributed to a higher unemployment rate at 8% compared to 3.9% nationally in 2018 as well as a higher poverty rate at 22%. However, this doesn’t mean Harrison isn’t an economically vibrant city; it has seen steady growth over the past few years with new businesses coming into town and plenty of job opportunities for those looking for work. In addition to that, there are plenty of recreational activities such as golf courses, fishing spots, and trails that make living here even more enjoyable for residents.

For population 25 years and over in Harrison

  • High school or higher: 76.8%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.2%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.3%
  • Unemployed: 4.9%
  • Mean travel time to work: 14.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Harrison city

  • Never married: 17.2%
  • Now married: 57.4%
  • Separated: 1.3%
  • Widowed: 10.3%
  • Divorced: 13.7%

1.2% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +1,506 (+14.1%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Harrison:

  • NORTH ARKANSAS MEDICAL CENTER (620 NORTH WILLOW)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Harrison:

  • SKAGGS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (about 30 miles; BRANSON, MO)
  • CARROLL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 33 miles; BERRYVILLE, AR)
  • EUREKA SPRINGS HOSPITAL (about 46 miles; EUREKA SPRINGS, AR)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Harrison:

  • SPRINGFIELD-BRANSON REGIONAL (about 71 miles; SPRINGFIELD, MO; Abbreviation: SGF)
  • DRAKE FIELD (about 75 miles; FAYETTEVILLE, AR; Abbreviation: FYV)
  • NORTHWEST ARKANSAS RGNL (about 83 miles; FAYETTEVILLE/SPRINGDALE/, AR; Abbreviation: XNA)

Other public-use airports nearest to Harrison:

  • BOONE COUNTY (about 3 miles; HARRISON, AR; Abbreviation: HRO)
  • M GRAHAM CLARK (about 28 miles; POINT LOOKOUT, MO; Abbreviation: PLK)
  • CARROLL COUNTY (about 36 miles; BERRYVILLE, AR; Abbreviation: 4M1)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Harrison:

  • NORTH ARKANSAS COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 1,316; Location: 1515 PIONEER DR; Public; Website: pioneer.northark.cc.ar.us/)
  • HARRISON SCHOOL OF COSMETOLOGY (Location: 1301 N MAIN ST; Private, for-profit)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Harrison:

  • SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY (about 65 miles; SPRINGFIELD, MO; Full-time enrollment: 14,680)
  • ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY (about 66 miles; RUSSELLVILLE, AR; Full-time enrollment: 4,450)
  • DRURY UNIVERSITY (about 69 miles; Springfield, MO; Full-time enrollment: 3,125)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS MAIN CAMPUS (about 72 miles; FAYETTEVILLE, AR; Full-time enrollment: 13,324)
  • OZARKS TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 72 miles; SPRINGFIELD, MO; Full-time enrollment: 3,756)
  • NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 78 miles; BENTONVILLE, AR; Full-time enrollment: 2,197)
  • UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS (about 94 miles; CONWAY, AR; Full-time enrollment: 7,693)

Schools

Public high schools in Harrison:

  • HARRISON JR. HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 663; Location: 525 S. PINE; Grades: 07 – 12)
  • HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 620; Location: 925 GOBLIN DRIVE; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • BERGMAN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 427; Location: 8949 HWY 7N; Grades: 07 – 12)
  • NORTHARK TECHNICAL CENTER (Location: 1515 PIONEER DRIVE; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high schools in Harrison:

  • GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 142; Location: PO BOX 7; Grades: PK – 12)
  • HILLCREST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 26; Location: RT 9 BOX 86; Grades: 1 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Harrison:

  • BERGMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 462; Location: 8949 HWY 7N; Grades: KG – 06)
  • CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 445; Location: 110 S. CHERRY; Grades: 05 – 06)
  • SKYLINE HEIGHTS ELEM. SCHOOL (Students: 369; Location: 1120 WEST HOLT; Grades: KG – 04)
  • FOREST HEIGHTS ELEM. SCHOOL (Students: 339; Location: 1124 SOUTH TAMARIND; Grades: KG – 04)
  • EAGLE HEIGHTS ELEM. SCHOOL (Students: 230; Location: 500 NORTH CHESTNUT; Grades: KG – 04)
  • WOODLAND HEIGHTS ELEM. SCHOOL (Students: 126; Location: 520 EAST WOMACK; Grades: KG – 04)

Private primary/middle schools in Harrison:

  • MONTESSORI CHILDREN’S SCHOOLHO (Students: 86; Location: 415 N. SECOND; Grades: PK – 5)
  • SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST (Students: 10; Location: ROUTE 6 BOX 29-A; Grades: 1 – 8)

Libraries

Library in Harrison:

  • BOONE COUNTY LIBRARY (Operating income: $378,232; Location: 221 W STEPHENSON ST.; 67,257 books; 950 audio materials; 928 video materials; 79 serial subscriptions)

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